You know spring has sprung in the mountains of Pocahontas County when dandelions show up in the yard- and no, those are not weeds! They are nutritious medicinal plants which provide food for all manner of creatures, from gold finches to humans.
If you take a look in the mountain streams there’s bright green watercress growing there and ramps- our famous, odiferous native cross between garlic and onions- are beginning to appear in the leaf litter at the edge of the woods.
Everywhere you look, from village to mountains, life is returning after a winter of hibernation.
And it’s not just nature that’s experiencing a spring revival- we are, too.
We are probably starting to eat less than we did in the winter – thank goodness – and are craving fresh food, just as our ancestors did hundreds of years ago.
This spring craving for fresh, green food comes naturally, and just as naturally, whether we know it or not, we crave more vitamin C in our diets.
The idea of tonics to thin, thicken or improve the blood reached its height of popularity in Victorian England, was transplanted here to the colonies and migrated to the mountains with the settlers.
A good spring cleaning wasn’t reserved just for the family cabin, it also applied to the folks living therein.
There were all sorts of outlandish-sounding tonics- some of which would no doubt be considered downright dangerous these days. But many are still is use and have proven themselves to be beneficial.
Some of the old people swore by a popular concoction of sulphur and molasses and some of the more reasonable (my mother and grandmother included) advocated drinking tea made from the roots of the sassafras tree, a delicious practice still common today.
There are probably thousands of tonic recipes rich in vitamin C, but here’s one that also calls for three typical Appalachian spring foods provided by nature- ramps, watercress and dandelion greens – all of which are high in vitamin C.
All three of these delicious greens can be found growing wild right here in Pocahontas County. The lemon you’ll need to get at the grocery.
Pack your things, visit Pocahontas County, and experience the goodness it brings. We will surely make your stay here, unforgettable with lots of activities in Snowshoe and pet friendly rentals to choose from.
Greens and Lemon Spring Tonic
Feel free to use any greens that you have available, but if you can find ramps, those are preferable. You can also substitute leeks or scallions.
4 or 5 young, tender ramps or 1 medium spring onion bulb, chopped
1 or 2 cloves garlic, chopped
4 cups water
2 cups chopped dandelion greens
a few dandelion blossoms
2 cups chopped watercress
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup lemon juice
Lemon slices and dandelion blossoms as garnish
Directions:
Add ramps, garlic and water to a medium pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover pot, reduce heat to low and simmer for five minutes. Remove lid and add dandelion and watercress, bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes more or until bright green and tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly, add lemon juice and then grind in an blender. If you prefer, skip the blender and just strain out the pulp, squeezing out as much liquid as possible. Pour into small cups and garnish with a lemon slice and a dandelion blossom (they are edible), drink immediately or store in the fridge for up to three days.
